South Sound News

‘I shouldn’t have to be used to this’: Tacoma police investigate homicide on South Hosmer Street

Tacoma detectives are investigating a homicide on South Hosmer Street, where a 25-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the parking lot of the Hometowne Studios motel.

“We had repeated calls that someone had been shot in the 8800 block of South Hosmer Street,” Wendy Haddow, a public information officer with the Tacoma Police Department, said. The woman was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died of her injuries.

Haddow also said Tacoma Police are conducting “high-visibility patrols” in the surrounding area of South Hosmer Street.

“Statistical analysis has shown that we’ve seen an increase in violent crimes in that area,” she said.

Tuesday marked the fourth homicide investigation conducted by Tacoma PD on South Hosmer Street since late January.

On Jan. 25, a 29-year-old man was shot and killed on the 8700 block of South Hosmer Street.

On Feb. 7, a 40-year-old man was shot and killed on the 8800 block of South Hosmer Street.

On Feb. 28, a 31-year-old woman was shot and killed on the 8400 block of South Hosmer Street. Tacoma detectives concluded the suspect drove her body to the 4900 block of South Burlington Way and abandoned the car.

Donald Lett said he’s “seen so much chaos” while he’s lived at the HomeTowne Studios, where Tuesday’s homicide took place. He said he wears a bulletproof vest around the clock.

“Even when I’m in my room, I sleep in it,” Lett said. “Because I might open my door, I might get up - anything could happen.”

Fresnel Williams also stays at an extended-stay motel. He said he helps with maintenance and security on the property.

“It’s nothing new. Hosmer is popular for people getting hurt and people dying. I shouldn’t have to be used to it, but I grew up here,” Williams said. “I don’t even let my kids outside. No person, no parent, no elderly (people) should have to feel that fear. They should be able to walk outside and feel safe, but they don’t.”

Williams and Lett said many of their neighbors have lost hope. Lett said he buys extra food and snacks to help feed his neighbors.

“The worst thing is, it’s terrible out here for the women. It’s 20 times harder. It’s not safe at all,” Lett said. “I grew up in chaos, so I’m used to this type of environment. I feel like I want to fight for the greater good. No one else is doing it. The cops can’t do it, so what do we have to do? The community has to take care of the community.”

Williams said South Hosmer Street needs more police presence, especially for longer durations.

“I have to kick the same people off the property. Then you get the same people driving in and out. A lot of people here feel very unsafe,” Williams said. “(Officers) leave, they come back. They watch you daily. They know when you come, they know when you don’t.”

There is no information about possible suspects available for Tuesday’s homicide, according to Tacoma PD. If you have any information that can help, you can leave an anonymous tip at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).